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Prosecutors told the tribunal that police maintained reasonable suspicions that Stephen Yaxley-Lennon's mobile held information relevant to terrorist activities when they detained him last year as he attempted to leave the UK.

Denial to Provide Device Pin

The right-wing campaigner, using his real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, allegedly declined to provide his password to officers, stating it contained journalist content.” This occurred after he was stopped at the Channel tunnel on July 28, 2024.

Trial Claims on Anti-Terror Powers

On the last day of the trial, prosecutor the prosecution argued that the anti-terror authorities used by law enforcement are intended to permit intelligence gathering. She asserted that police had valid grounds to think Robinson continued to have connections to far-right activists, even following the dissolution of the English Defence League (EDL).

“Although his membership of the EDL has ceased, his beliefs have not gone away. He is known for holding those views and therefore it is a valid concern to think that on his telephone there could be data pertaining to acts of terrorism,” she informed the court.

The prosecutor continued, His opinions – to which he is allowed – were not the subject for their concern on 28 July. It was his connection to individuals who are potentially engaged in illegal actions.”

Circumstances of the Stop

The campaigner had turned up by himself at the Eurotunnel in a silver Bentley belonging to a friend and was traveling to the Spanish resort of Benidorm with more than £13,000 in a small bag, the trial heard.

The funds was reportedly from a donation drive to offset costs from organizing a large demonstration that took place the previous day in a London landmark.

Legal Team Arguments

Robinson, who denies failing to comply with anti-terror laws during the encounter on 28 July last year, faces up to three months in jail or a possible £2,500 penalty if found guilty.

His barrister, defense counsel, said in closing submissions that counter-terrorism police who stopped his client had conducted a speculative search” and that he had been illegally held.

Citing evidence from police who said they contacted other organizations” after detaining Robinson, the defense lawyer said this was a reference to the security services and that no evidence had been presented from MI5 to suggest his defendant was a terrorist.

He said the police intervention was biased” because it was based to a “significant degree on a personal attribute.” He stated that the “predominant influence” on the choice to detain him was recognizing his identity”.

He added that officers had used an “extraordinary power that must be properly policed” to try to discover details that was previously available. Williamson suggested that Robinson journeyed to the resort frequently, which ought to have reduced the officers’ concerns about him.

Expenses and Verdict Date

Robinson stated that his court expenses in the case were being covered by the tech billionaire, the owner of X and Tesla, who has appeared as an ally of the far-right activist and lately spoke at a rally arranged by him in London via a online broadcast.

A suggested date of the following Tuesday for the decision was altered by the magistrate, the judge, after the defense said Robinson was scheduled to be a guest of the Israel's administration from Wednesday and would not come back until 25 October.

{“I wouldn’t trouble you if this was a trip to Benidorm. I would ask him to rearrange it but he is a guest of a foreign government,” said Williamson.

Goozee said he would deliver his ruling on the morning of 4 November.